Pastor John Wright

I had a quick 29 trip-and-back-again to Kansas City that ended last night around 11:00 pm. It was an honor participating in a DMin seminar that is reading my book at Nazarene Theological Seminary. It also has put a "crimp" in the catch-up work today. This is therefore late and a little thinner.

The readings unfold again with the Christological reading of Isaiah 49 fitting into the reading of the Gospel. The beginning of 1 Corinithians helps see the significance of the Gospel reading from "the future." It fits within a narrative plotting of "prophecy"-"fulfillment in Jesus"-the church. The Epiphany continues to spread.

Isaiah 49:1-7

What are the relationships between the "you people from far away", "Jacob/Isurvivors of Israel" and the "I" in relationship to the "The LORD" throughout the passage? How does the "I/me" in the passage relate to all the other figures as well?

John 1:29-41

The Gospel of John does not describe Jesus' baptism by John, but gives a retro-report from the mouth of the character of John. Obviously the Lamb of God has references to the Temple sacrificial system -- but remember that this sacrifice is to share as a meal as well. How does the description of Jesus as the Lamb of God correspond with the other titles/descriptions that John gives him? What is the long term affect on John of his witness to Jesus? What happens to the witness of the two disciples of John? Why does the witness spread to others? In what sort of networks does it spread?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

What are the reasons for Paul's thanksgiving? What is Paul's hopes for this people?

What difference do we see in these passages that the "Epiphany" of Jesus makes to those around them? Maybe you can discuss how your experiences of this "Epiphany" relates to those described in these passage!

Have a wonderful evening!